This post was written by Coach Erica Knighton.

My favorite places near Boston to run around in the muck!

A while back I wrote about the importance of variety in your running routes and purposely getting lost on your runs. Breaking out of your comfort zone is the best way to avoid injury, boredom, and runner fatigue. This time of year it’s easy to fall into a training rut. I’ve often spent winters running the same loop around the Charles Rivers over and over because it’s easy. I challenge you to get to a new neighborhood, a different track, or my new favorite – trails!

Here are my top 5 spots just outside of Boston for a peaceful run on soft surfaces away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you have the time (and the motivation) to venture out of your usual running routine I promise these spots will not disappoint.

Battle Road, Concord, MA

Running on the historic Battle Road Trail feels like a bucket list item for all Boston area runners. I’m embarrassed to admit I hadn’t run this one prior to the great Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. It truly is a fantastic destination run, providing a sense of Boston History along roughly 5 miles of hard-packed dirt trails. The main theme of the trail is the Battle of April 19, 1775, that launched the American Revolution.

Wonderfully simple, but interesting, the trails is the length of the Battle Road Unit of Minute Man National Historical Park. Do an out and back for a great 10-mile run. You will not regret it!

Western Greenway, Belmont, Lexington, and Waltham, MA

I heard Coach Chris talk about The Western Greenway Trail so many times I just had to go check it out for myself and let me tell you it did not disappoint. This 7.3-mile trail located in Waltham passes through multiple parks and conservation areas and eventually ends in Belmont. The narrow trail follows many brooks and small ponds along the way, but any place where you need to cross a stream or wet area there are well-maintained bridges.

This is an amazing trail resource in a rather densely populated urban area. I’m happy to have this one in my running repertoire. Go check it out!

Cutler Park, Needham, MA

Cutler Park is the sort of place that’s just big enough for a good run—and holds enough surprises to keep those miles interesting.

Cutler Park’s 600 acres consist mostly of wetland, with Kendrick Pond, near the parking lot, giving way to a vast marsh that extends along the Charles River. But you’ll find about 9 miles of great exploring on the Blue Heron Trail and a series of side trails.

You can expect everything from wide gravel paths circling the pond to single-track narrows inch by inch the further south of your travel. My favorite part is cruising through a marsh along a long boardwalk, surrounded by head-high pussy willows.

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, Sudbury, MA

I stumbled upon Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge when I was out for a very basic Fall apple picking session with Coach Chris. We stopped to take a stroll after we’d eaten entirely too many cider donuts.

This beautiful and peaceful refuge encompasses 3.5 square miles located within the towns of Hudson, Maynard, Stow, and Sudbury. It’s easy to weave around the refuge and get in several miles on soft single track trails or open hard-packed dirt carriage roads.  Be on the lookout for ammunition bunkers. This land was formerly part of Fort Devens, a training site used in World War II. 

Webster Woods, Newton, MA

A hidden gem right here in the City of Boston. Ok, it’s not technically in Boston, but it’s runnable from Boston which means you can sneak in some trails without getting in your car.

Webster Woods is the largest conservation area in Newton. The beautiful 118-acre park is wooded, with brooks, ponds, wetlands, fields, and a historic woodland garden. Not too bad for a city, right?

The woods do get quite a bit of foot traffic – especially on weekends, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you need a break from the roads and don’t feel like venturing far.